I like this thinking outside the box (kind of) two coaches of different sports exchanging ideas. In my opinion American sports are far far more advanced in their administration and the way they function so this will serve McCleish better.

Here's hoping it benefits the Browns though I doubt they will benefit from a struggling football who play in a sport that is so so backward in its day to day workings.

"There is but one thing of real value: to cultivate truth and justice and to live without anger in the midst of lying and unjust men"

Unlike with the Browns, under Learner's ownership Villa has been as successful as one can expect for a soccer team not owned by a Saudi Prince, or Russian Mega-Billionaire. They have avoided relegation, generally finish in the middle of the pack , and every few years sniff the ass-crack of a champions league spot and/or make a run in one of the domestic cups. In fact Lerner has been one of the few American owners not to draw total and utter disdain from his teams fan base.

The bar for success in the mind of English Club Soccer Fan is vastly different from that of a fan of a typical American sport. If your not a fan of Man U, Arsenal, Chelsea, or Liverpool, you are fucking ecstatic every year when your team doesn't get relegated, and if you are relegated, its like winning the world series if your team manages to crawl its way back out of the cellar.

"I don't think they're building chemical weapons in Berea. But they might be. I can't say for sure."Chuck Klosterman

Govbarney wrote:Unlike with the Browns, under Learner's ownership Villa has been as successful as one can expect for a soccer team not owned by a Saudi Prince, or Russian Mega-Billionaire. They have avoided relegation, generally finish in the middle of the pack , and every few years sniff the ass-crack of a champions league spot and/or make a run in one of the domestic cups. In fact Lerner has been one of the few American owners not to draw total and utter disdain from his teams fan base.

The bar for success in the mind of English Club Soccer Fan is vastly different from that of a fan of a typical American sport. If your not a fan of Man U, Arsenal, Chelsea, or Liverpool, you are fucking ecstatic every year when your team doesn't get relegated, and if you are relegated, its like winning the world series if your team manages to crawl its way back out of the cellar.

True- Boatloads of cash to be entrenched in the league, even if you're fodder for the Champions League-caliber teams.

The fans of Chelsea and Liverpool right now are more bent about their teams than AV fans are. Because Arsenal and Liverpool are currently outside looking in for a Champions league spot meaning they're likely to lose the $30m in TV revenues and a couple stars (as I noted somewhere else) not too terribly long ago.

I guess the draw for Wigan and QPR and AV to an extent (and, honestly, half or more of the premier League) is having the best in the world come to your place and play and the money it puts in the local economy.

I did a search a few weeks ago as "Randy Lerner as Aston Villa owner" and came up with many articles basically saying that he is an absentee owner, apologizes for not being a visible owner and not spending money during the recent transfer period. Some chastise that he has tarnished the legacy and tradition of Villa. Sounds pretty familiar.

Right now they are seven points, three positions, from being relegated. They aren't Manchester United, but they aren't Wigan either. The link below is a synopsis of most of the articles and the quickest read-

Squints wrote:It's also worth noting that by most accounts, Villa has what is described as "the most miserable and self-loathing fan base in the EPL." Again, something seems eerily familiar with all of this.

peeker643 wrote:Are both fan bases miserable and self-loathing because of Lerner or is he just attracted to those type of people?

Not important really.... I gotta run and complete my online purchase of an Aston Villa jersey and stocking cap.

The midlands is the most miserable and despondent spot on the face of this big rock so it would be unfair to blame Lerner for the disquiet among the Villa faithful.

They have some really good players but a shit manager. They are a team who should be challenging for Europe (finishing within the top 8) but injuries and sub par seasons from some of their players have caused them to be in a precarious position.

"There is but one thing of real value: to cultivate truth and justice and to live without anger in the midst of lying and unjust men"

British_Pharaoh wrote:They have some really good players but a shit manager. They are a team who should be challenging for Europe (finishing within the top 8) but injuries and sub par seasons from some of their players have caused them to be in a precarious position.

Christ. Replace "Europe" with "division" or "playoffs" and you could be talking about the Browns and not the Villains= by the way, a very cool nickname. And some will say replace good with.......

peeker643 wrote:Are both fan bases miserable and self-loathing because of Lerner or is he just attracted to those type of people?

Not important really.... I gotta run and complete my online purchase of an Aston Villa jersey and stocking cap.

The midlands is the most miserable and despondent spot on the face of this big rock so it would be unfair to blame Lerner for the disquiet among the Villa faithful.

They have some really good players but a shit manager. They are a team who should be challenging for Europe (finishing within the top 8) but injuries and sub par seasons from some of their players have caused them to be in a precarious position.

Indeed. McCleish, like Shurmur, manages not to lose, instead of going all-out to win. Very negative, uninspired play. Huh, sounds like the Browns.

Swerb wrote:Go start a blog if you want to tell the world your incomprehendible ramblings.

Cerebral_DownTime wrote:I have a big arm and can throw the ball pretty damn far...... maybe even over those moutains. The Browns should sign me, i'll let you all in locker room to drink beer. Then we can all go out the parking lot to watch me do motorcycle stunts.